Scott J
University Department of Psychiatry, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Br J Psychiatry. 1988 Sep;153:287-97. doi: 10.1192/bjp.153.3.287.
Defining chronic depression as persistent symptoms for 2 or more years, a prevalence of chronic depression of 12-15% is found in the literature. A four-part classification of chronic depression is proposed: Chronic Primary Major Depression; Chronic Secondary Major Depression; Characterological or Chronic Minor Depression (Dysthymic Disorder); and 'Double Depression'. The literature indicates several factors predicting chronicity in primary major depression: more at risk are female patients, particularly those with premorbid neurotic personality traits, individuals with unipolar disorders, and those with higher familial loading for such disorders. Other factors are the adequacy and appropriateness of the treatment given, and the length of illness episode prior to treatment being received. Larger studies with well-matched controls are needed.
将慢性抑郁症定义为持续症状达两年或更长时间，文献中发现慢性抑郁症的患病率为12%至15%。本文提出了慢性抑郁症的四部分分类：慢性原发性重度抑郁症；慢性继发性重度抑郁症；特质性或慢性轻度抑郁症（恶劣心境障碍）；以及“双重抑郁症”。文献表明了预测原发性重度抑郁症慢性化的几个因素：女性患者风险更高，尤其是那些病前具有神经质人格特质的患者、单相障碍患者以及此类障碍家族负荷较高的患者。其他因素包括所给予治疗的充分性和适当性，以及接受治疗前疾病发作的时长。需要开展有匹配良好对照的更大规模研究。
